MINSTREL BOOKING
Lots of adjectives I could use for June, but the one that lept into my mind first was "dreadful". Probably not that bad, but there's no way to sugarcoat it. Average attendance for the three regular shows in June was 38.7. 33.3 when factoring in the Open Stage. We were in the red by $746 for the month, which accounts for almost all of the $761 red ink for the past 12 months. Note that those losses do not include an expenditure of $500 to cover a deposit for Rory Block coming up in September. I will factor that expense in with the September report. I got no excuses and no explanations except for the phenomenon that our attendance is becoming more and more a factor of the name recognition of the acts, and less of the society and fellowship that has traditionally been associated with the Minstrel. ie, we are losing our house audience.
The PBS State of the Arts videotaping previously scheduled for last month has been provisionally rescheduled for the Shockenaw Mountain Boys show on Dec. 27. Possible alternates Buskin & Batteau Oct 18 or Mulebone Oct 25. Will confirm by 1st week in August.
John Lamb is looking into a further redesign of the Tally Sheet. No change in what will be entered by the Head Staff, but a refinement in how the results are presented to make them more easily found and interpreted by the Treasurer and myelf.
As of today, I've received no requests to be put into the hat for the Birthday Show. I sent out a reminder. Either everyone is coming to the picnic or we might have a paltry turnout for the Birthday Show.
Bookings made this month:
Aug. 23: Loretta Hagen opening for David Massengill
Dec. 27: Shockenaw Mountain Boys
Jan 10: Tom Chapin
Highlights for July:
Toby Walker on July 19 and the Birthday Show (I hope) on July 26.
Mike Agranoff
Program Chair
The Minstrel Acoustic Concert Series
Morristown, NJ 07960, USA